Srinagar, Feb 09 (KNS): To promote and bring on tourism map the virgin beauty of Tosa Maidan, a 3-day Adventure Tourism Festival 2016 was conducted from 28-05-2016 to 30-05-2016 at the resort.
It was a maiden event which included various adventure activities like Paragliding, Land/Hydro Zorbing, Trekking, Water Walking Ball, Horse Race, All Terrain Vehicle, Mountain Terrain Biking, Mountain Running to harness the potential of this beautiful place besides Cultural Programmes by ethnic people and Frisbee Competition were conducted during the festival.
Most of the adventure sports activities like paragliding, zorbing, Mountain biking were introduced at the place for the first time bringing the place on tourism map which could attract adventure lovers from across the globe and become a source of livelihood among the locals through such adventure activities.
Such large number of adventure activities was appreciated by the locals.
Chief Minister was the Chief Guest of this event in which hundreds of the people most of them locals turned up for active participation.
The event being a 3-day affair was organsied and managed by an expert agency namely Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir (ATOAK)
Around 200 people including coolies, porters, sports persons and other participants who actively participated in the festival activities were served breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days.
As there is no guest house or hotel, every participant was catered to and large Shamiyana with chairs and tables was set up for the function for the visiting VIPs and participants.
The event was one of its kind keeping in view the virginity of the destination and its tourism potential.
No verbal orders involved in the festival but it was conducted with the approval of administrative department vide No. TSM/Pub-61/2008, dated 27-08-2016.
Pertinently, virginity of Tosa Maidain Valley, its difficult terrain, less accessibility, lack of accommodation was a huge challenge as such shamayans with chairs and tables were hired and transported to Tosa Maidan. Food and refreshments were provided in packed form or cooked at site involving additional arrangements as such lodging and boarding arrangements were made.
Although administrative department had given the approval of conducting the Festival at Rs 7.00 lac in favor of ATOAK, the department managed conducted the mega event at only Rs 5,25,500.
The expenditure to the tune of Rs 5,25,500 was then duly certified by the concerned chief executive officer, Doodpathri Development Authority.
The logistics to Tosa Maidan were carried up via Jungle track by platform trucks and trekking trails using guides and mules.
Despite all odds, the department of tourism in collaboration with ATOAK was able to conduct the said event successfully and at the lowest possible expenditure.
To bring the destination on tourism map, these kind of events have become imperative to highlight the potential of the destination which could attract tourists to the place and bring employment to the locals.
In this regard, the department has already printed comprehensive creative brochures highlighting the destination. The department like other destinations is also making promotional video to highlight this virgin destination. The video will soon be released on our social media handles.
The pictures of the Tosa Maidan festival have also been posted on our social media handle under the new album Tosa Maidan Festival uploaded recently for clarifications, click the link below